In the heart of Romagna lies a unique landscape: the Parco della Vena del Gesso Romagnola.
Here, among ancient stone villages and paths that wind through chalk cliffs, an excursion develops with panoramic points of truly breathtaking valleys and peaks. The landscapes you will encounter are rugged and wild in the areas near the chalk cliffs, and more lush with woods and flowery meadows in the others.
This trek is well signposted by the Italian Alpine Club - CAI and suitable for hikers of all levels: it starts from Borgo Rivola and crosses the mysterious Borgo dei Crivellari, with its chalk houses, to then reach the Rifugio Cà Carnè, immersed in nature.
Its peaceful atmosphere and the beauty of the landscape make it ideal for a stop.
The itinerary begins in the heart of the Vena del Gesso Romagnola Regional Park.
The CAI 511 trail starts from Borgo Rivola, a hamlet of Riolo Terme, along the former state road “Casolana”; once you reach the town by car, we recommend parking near the football field, where you will find signs to take the trail that, climbing up the northern slope of the Vena del Gesso, will lead you to Borgo dei Crivellari, an almost ghost town of gypsum houses, dating back to about a thousand years ago, once inhabited by the "gessaioli", the ancient mineral quarrymen.
Destroyed by the war, it was gradually abandoned and today it lives again thanks to the recovery projects of some private individuals, maintaining its timeless atmosphere intact.
Continuing, you reach the summit of Monte della Volpe (495 m.) from which the view opens onto the hills of Romagna. Here, the gypsum crystals create unique plays of light. It is also possible to observe real gypsum bubbles, which however make the route more difficult: for this reason in some downhill sections the path has been stepped and made easier.
Downhill, the CAI 511 path crosses an important karst area, the Sella di Cà Faggia, an enchanted place where the vegetation changes radically, offering a fascinating contrast between the intense green of the chestnut tree on the northern side and the golden yellow of the terebinth (spontaneous shrub with flowers, usually yellowish green in color that bloom in spring, followed by small red fruits that ripen in autumn) on the southern side.
The Sella di Cà Faggia is a panoramic point that offers a spectacular view of the Vena del Gesso romagnola, the surrounding valleys and the gypsum outcrops. An ideal place for excursions and outdoor activities, such as nature photography.
Continuing for a few dozen meters, from the top of La Sella, you can see a series of chalky cliffs below in the blind valley of Rio Stella, a small stream that goes underground, crossing a whole system of underground caves dug into the chalk for about a kilometer and a half, to then come out on the northern side, with the name of Rio Basino.
Continuing you reach the valley floor of the Sintria stream, then climb up to the Church of Vespignano and after the last steep climbs, among orchards, vineyards and woods, intercept the road that leads to the Rifugio Cà Carnè Visitor Center.
In the heart of the Vena del Gesso Romagnola Park, the Rifugio Cà Carnè is the perfect place to end the trek: here, after visiting the natural history museum and taking a break (it has a refreshment point and picnic areas), you can relax and simply enjoy the silence of nature, with an unparalleled view of the Vena del Gesso peaks.
From the Rifugio Cà Carnè you can return to Borgo Rivola, enjoying nature and the view, passing once again through the Sella di Cà Faggia and Borgo dei Crivellari.
Once you reach Borgo Rivola, before returning, you can visit the small Museum of Karst and Speleology (open from March to October), which is located inside the former Casa Cantoniera, located on the road that leads from Riolo Terme to Casola Valsenio, dedicated to the fascinating world of the Parco della Vena del Gesso Romagnola.
